How many people die from diabetes each year? - You Must Know

[Alex Timothy]

It is an established medical fact that diabetes increases the risk of several other diseases that threaten life. A diabetic person is likely to see several cardiovascular issues like artery diseases, chest pain, narrowing of arteries and ultimately heart stroke.

Diabetes reduces life expectancy by at least 5 to 10 years. It means that a person who could have lived up to 75 years normally dies in their 60s due to diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the 7th most common cause of death in the United States.

A couple of years ago in 2019, diabetes caused 1.5 million deaths worldwide. If we add deaths from complications caused by diabetes, then the count goes around 2 million-plus. In several countries, diabetes is decreasing the life expectancy of patients.

The spread of diabetes is equal in developing and developed countries. In recent years, the cases have increased in low-income countries due to perhaps lack of awareness about the linkage of a healthy lifestyle and prevention of diabetes. When doctors prescribe Glucobay 100mg for control over glucose levels, they recommend a healthy diet and some moderate exercise to keep diabetes under check.

Diabetes and impact on health

Diabetes is counted as a lifestyle disease. Unhealthy eating, sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity and increased consumption of junk food and processed foods have increased the cases of diabetes in the younger generation as well. Earlier cases of type 2 diabetes were confined in the above 50 or 60 plus group.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder. It involves a lack of sufficient production of insulin or insulin resistance by the body to the insulin that is produced in the body. Insulin keeps checks on the rise of blood glucose levels. The glucose levels after meals rise, but insulin ensures that it goes into cells for energy. When glucose fails to enter cells due to insufficient insulin or insulin resistance, it gives rise to glucose in the bloodstream.

Higher than required glucose levels in the bloodstream damage blood vessels. Damaged blood vessels cannot support the smooth flow of blood, which keeps heart function at optimum levels. Impaired blood vessels cause various heart issues.

Earlier signs of damaged blood vessels due to diabetes is erectile dysfunction in males. Erection weakness is cured temporarily by Sildenafil citrate 150mg which doctors prescribe for severe cases, but control over diabetes is required to get permanent relief.

Risk factors due to diabetes

Constant type 2 diabetes increases various risks to health. High sugar levels in blood damage vital organs starting from the kidney and leading eyesight.

According to the American Association of diabetes, 44 percent of kidney failure occurred in the United States due to high blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. The chances of high blood pressure increase in a diabetic person. Constant high blood pressure creates complications in the kidney, heart functioning, and enhances the prospect of heart stroke.

Cholesterol issue arises with lipid disorder in diabetes patients. Low-density lipoprotein or bad cholesterol blocks blood flow in arteries. This bad cholesterol removes good cholesterol, which further increases the risk of heart stroke.

Risk of infection and amputation

Damage to the nerve from high sugar levels increases the risk of infection. The healing process is hampered in a diabetic person. It directly increases infection cases. In certain serious cases, then amputation becomes the only way to stop the spread of infection.

Gum diseases

A diabetic person will be more vulnerable to gum disease than a normal person. It is due to several side effects of diabetes. These include decreased blood circulation, formation of plaque, saliva production coming down which leads to dry mouth and decrease in collagen in gum, which products the gum.
Untreated gum disease causes heart problems.

Diabetes ketoacidosis

Some type 2 diabetes patients develop acid in the blood due to the faster breaking down of fat in the body. The condition is life-threatening in such patients.

Rising trend of mortality

Death from diabetes has increased in preceding years. In a decade and a half from 2000 and 2016, doctors have observed an increase in deaths from diabetes alone. There was some decline in the mid of the decades in developed countries, but the cases of mortality increased in the last few years. In low-income countries across Asia, African and Latin America, the cases and mortality rates continue to rise.

All over the world the trend is the same. The cases and death from diabetes are increasing in all countries and sections of society. There was some decline in deaths due to diabetes in advanced countries in the mid of the last decade, but it increased again in the last couple of years.

Strangely, the chances of dying from a heart attack, cancer, and chronic respiratory issues showed some decline. These facts highlight the role diabetes is playing in decreasing the life expectancy in the world of diabetes patients.

Conclusion

Diabetes is increasing death rates in the world. Poor lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyle are the main causes. The availability of processed food, packed juices and canned products have also led to an increase in unhealthy eating habits. All this is contributing to the increased death rates. A healthy diet and physical activities are the only way out.